shadow of britain

Chapter 634 Anti-Russian and Pro-Russian

British Embassy, ​​St. Petersburg, Russia.

Blackwell, the cultural counselor's private secretary, hurriedly walked through the embassy corridor with several sealed diplomatic documents and stood in front of Arthur's office.

Perhaps thinking of Arthur's picky temper, Blackwell did not push the door open directly. Instead, he took a deep breath until the panting sound gradually subsided behind the heavy oak door. Then he adjusted his bow tie and pushed open the office door.

Through the blazing fire and hazy smoke, one could see an exquisitely carved mahogany desk in the office, with a deerskin-colored parchment covering it, and the sound of the pen tip rustling on the paper could be heard everywhere.

However, what first caught Blackwell's attention was not these commonplace furnishings, but the several pieces of Chinese calligraphy hanging behind Arthur.

On the left wall - A room doesn't need to be big to be elegant, and a lot of flowers doesn't need to be numerous to be fragrant.

By the right window - the universe allows me to be quiet, and fame and fortune are up to others.

Horizontal banner: Only my virtue is fragrant.

Fortunately, Blackwell did not understand Chinese, so he did not realize how immodest the words were.

But just because he doesn't understand doesn't mean the Red Devils don't understand. This morning, Agares has spat at this picture countless times.

At a gathering at Bichulin's home last week, Arthur not only brought back these calligraphy works, but also spent a huge sum of 20 rubles to buy a bright yellow porcelain teacup from the priest.

"Sir, two documents, one from Constantinople and one from 15 Downing Street."

Arthur, who was concentrating on practicing calligraphy, heard the news, stretched himself, and took the document from the secretary: "What's wrong?"

Blackwell replied: "Lord Palmerston is not satisfied with the Tsar's mere order to withdraw his troops from Wallachia and Moldavia, and he thinks that the Tsar's official reply to our letter of protest in the official document may not be too polite."

Arthur opened the letter and asked, "What did the Tsar say?"

"The Tsar argued that Russia had only done what the British wanted to do, and that they had simply gotten there first."

Arthur took out the letter and grinned, "That's the truth, but the Tsar obviously doesn't understand diplomatic rhetoric. He's not a fool, but he obviously lacks the talent for diplomatic work. I guess Viscount Palmerston at 15 Downing Street must be furious, right?"

"Maybe it's worse than that," Blackwell shrugged. "He called it out as not only rude but offensive."

"What about Fleet Street? Lord Palmerston must have been very hawkish. 'Britain's sword declares war on the Russian barbarians', 'The iron-fisted foreign minister gives Nicholas I a straight punch', 'The nomadic peoples attempt to invade our maritime borders'? They probably use headlines like these, right?"

"You really understand the temperament of British journalists."

“It’s hard not to understand.”

Arthur crossed his legs and leisurely flipped through the report sent by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "Since I left London, I feel that the image of those tabloid reporters is getting more and more lovely. It is a supreme enjoyment to make a pot of black tea and pick up the Times with the scent of ink during the break. Of course, the premise is: you are not the protagonist of their stories."

Blackwell was very curious about Arthur's early life. Although he knew that the knight had once been a prominent figure in London, it was naturally better to hear it from the person himself than to hear it from others.

Especially since he hadn't heard any new jokes about Arthur for several days.

"Were you popular in Fleet Street?"

Arthur glanced at the boy, then took a sip from his teacup and said sparingly, "I'd rather they forget me."

Blackwell hurriedly changed the subject with a guilty conscience: "I think that at least as of now, neither Britain nor Russia has the upper hand, and the Tsar and Viscount Palmerston's harsh words to each other will not help ease the increasingly tense diplomatic relations between the two countries. Sir, do you have any good ideas?"

"Me?" Arthur half-jokingly said, "I don't have that ability. However, if possible, I think it's best to hand this issue over to the Royal Mail. Although they can't solve this problem, I believe they can definitely delay it."

The reason why Arthur could look at this problem with such a relaxed mood was naturally because he had confidence in his heart.

To outsiders, he spent this period of time eating, drinking and having fun with cultural celebrities in St. Petersburg, and attending various literary salons and concerts.

But in fact, due to the special characteristics of the cultural circle of Tsarist Russia, most of the local cultural celebrities worked in various central ministries, including the Crown Prince's tutor Zhukovsky, the Privy Councilor Duke Vyazemsky, and Bulgarin, the editor-in-chief of the semi-official mouthpiece of the Tsarist government, "The Northern Bee".

Since these people were in different areas of the Tsarist power class, Arthur could always hear all kinds of valuable or worthless but interesting information from them.

For example, Bulgarin once complained privately that Pushkin received too much official protection.

Bulgarin did not deny Pushkin's talent, but he also insisted that the reason why Pushkin had such a high status in the Tsarist Russian literary world was inseparable from the government's semi-public protection.

A few years ago, Bulgarin wrote an article in "The Northern Bee" criticizing Pushkin's work "Onegin", and was involved in a weeks-long debate with Pushkin over this.

But no one expected that the debate would end not because one side refuted the other, but because of an official document.

It turned out that after reviewing Bulgarin's critical article, Nicholas I immediately wrote a letter to Count Benkendorf, director of the Third Bureau. The main content of the letter was roughly: An article criticizing Pushkin's works appeared in "The Northern Bee". The tendency and purpose of the article are very clear. Such articles will certainly continue to appear. It is recommended that you control Bulgarin and strictly prohibit the appearance of anti-Pushkin articles in the future. If necessary, the magazine can be closed down.

Although Count Benckendorff was very reluctant, since it was the Tsar's will, he had no choice but to convey the news to Bulgarin.

Bulgarin was also shocked when he received the news.

As the editor-in-chief of the Tsarist government's mouthpiece, The Northern Bee, Bulgarin always felt that his political stance had been tested, and he always believed that he and the Tsar were on the same front.

He never imagined that Nicholas I would move the trench next to Pushkin.

However, although Bulgarin was silenced, he was the only one who received the Tsar's order.

Therefore, many newspapers and magazines that were kept in the dark continued to publish content that slandered Pushkin's works. Nicholas I, who personally served as the "censor of Pushkin's works", was naturally very angry when he learned about it. He directly issued a death order to the Third Bureau, saying: If there are such articles in the future, they must be severely punished.

Since this order was issued, the criticism of Pushkin in the newspapers has obviously become much smaller. Even if there are occasional sporadic attacks, they dare not be too direct, but beat around the bush to criticize Pushkin. However, Pushkin did not indulge these people. He also responded in a sarcastic tone: "What the Tsar likes, the running dogs don't like."

Because of this incident, even though Pushkin and Bulgarin live under the same roof and attend the same banquet, they never say a word to each other and treat each other as air.

However, these little pleasures in the Russian literary circle can only serve as a spice of life.

The most important information Arthur gained was the Tsar's distrust of the British Whig cabinet.

As a staunch absolutist monarchist, Nicholas I had never had a positive view of the Whigs who inherited from Cromwell, and he disliked their liberal tendencies even more. The Tsar hated the parliamentary reforms led by the Whigs in 1832.

Compared with the Whigs, Nicholas I obviously trusted the out-of-power Tories more. He especially admired the Duke of Wellington, who was famous for his royalist status and brilliant military achievements.

After learning this important information, Arthur gradually dispelled his suspicions about Viscount Palmerston's suspected connection with Russia.

Because at least from the recent diplomatic developments, the Tsar did not like the British Foreign Secretary who had once supported him on the Polish issue.

Therefore, Arthur felt that it might be an exaggeration to say that Viscount Palmerston was a Russian spy.

He had no connections with Russia, at most he only had connections with Mrs. Liven.

Moreover, Arthur increasingly felt that the reason why the Tsar gave him the credit for withdrawing troops from Wallachia and Moldavia was probably due to this consideration.

Among the entire Whig British mission to Russia, Arthur's resume and experience were obviously the most Tory.

Even if you insist on saying that Arthur is a Tory, it seems possible.

At least two Tory leaders, Sir Peel and the Duke of Wellington, had hinted that Arthur could join their camp at the right time.

However, for economic reasons, Arthur was not interested in a seat in the House of Commons that did not involve a salary, and he was also unwilling to spend a lot of money on bribery.

Arthur's refusal to bribe voters does not mean that he is so self-righteous, but that he did not have the ability to do so at that time.

Although he had the strength now, with Disraeli as his example, Arthur was undecided about whether to make such an investment with great uncertainty.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with being a member of the House of Commons, but the income level and status of a cultural counselor would obviously satisfy the knight more.

The great British Prime Ministers only need Gladstone and Disraeli.

He should just be a public tool for the fruits of their wisdom.

Alas, who made this public instrument made of pure gold?
Besides, it seemed foolish to risk the wrath of Lord Brougham, Earl Daramore and others by joining the Tories.

After all, these people are Arthur's mentors. If he had not studied at the University of London but went to Cambridge or Oxford, would he have been able to navigate the officialdom smoothly?

It was because he studied at the University of London that Arthur was able to win by a large margin against such a great man of the time as Elder Carter, and was established as a typical example of the excellent teaching quality of the University of London.

Arthur always kept in mind that one should never forget his roots.

But then again, if it weren't for the support of his old superiors Sir Robert Peel, the Duke of Wellington and others, he, Arthur Hastings, would either be a foot patrol in London or a contract slave on a farm in North America.

The position and status of Scotland Yard were fought for him by the Tories.

The world of diplomacy is vast and boundless, as Lord Brougham and Earl Daramore specifically pointed out.

Neither side can be offended, the emotions of both sides must be taken care of, and everything must be kept fair, so Arthur can only be non-partisan.

If there was one person in British politics who displeased Arthur, it was the Foreign Secretary, Viscount Palmerston, who was implicated in the Liverpool bombing.

What should we do if Palmerston has no contact with Russia?
The Foreign Secretary has no knowledge of Russia, but Arthur certainly knows France!
Although Louis is just a little Calamity now, what if, what if he really becomes the emperor in the future?

If he were given the opportunity to trade one-for-one with Palmerston in the future, what would he do if the other party used his suspicion of collusion with the law as an excuse?

Arthur felt sympathetic when he thought of this, and he even couldn't help but pick up a pen and ask Dumas, who was far away in Paris, to help him arrange some overseas assets first.

If something happens in the future, at least I won't be homeless on the streets. I have a place to live, and I can go to Dumas from time to time to ask for money, so I can live a good life.

Arthur was absent-mindedly flipping through the diplomatic documents in his hand when he suddenly caught a glimpse of the expedited document sent from Constantinople.

"Hmm? Someone from the Constantinople embassy is missing?"

When Blackwell heard Arthur mention it, he immediately added, "The documents say he's missing, but there's actually other news. Sir, do you remember Sir David Urquhart, whom I mentioned to you earlier? He was the extreme anti-Russian who fought in Greece and later became a supporter of the Ottomans."

"Is he the one who is missing?"

Blackwell nodded. "There is news that Sir David Urquhart has made contact with the Circassian leader in Constantinople."

"Circassians?" Arthur recalled. "The natives of Circassia? The Caucasus?"

"That's right. The news you brought back has been verified. The Russians have indeed recently sent more troops to the Caucasus region in an effort to quell the resistance forces in the Caucasus region. It seems that Sir David Urquhart took the initiative to contact the Circassians because he saw the diplomatic report you sent. The Constantinople Embassy said that Sir David Urquhart was suspended by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for leaking secrets to the Times without permission. It was during this period that he contacted the Caucasian mountain people's contact in Constantinople and was invited to take a ship through the Black Sea to their fortress in the Caucasus region. After discovering that something was wrong, Constantinople sent people to stop Sir David, but it was still a step too late."

Even a bold man like Arthur couldn't help jumping up from his chair after hearing about David Urquhart's behavior: "What! You said he went to the Caucasus by ship? Doesn't he know that the Russians have set up a strict naval blockade along the Black Sea coast? Although Circassia has not been conquered by Russia, according to the treaty concluded between Russia and the Ottoman Empire, Russia has declared sovereignty over that area. He entered the country privately without making any diplomatic notes. Isn't this smuggling?"

(End of this chapter)